Two Bluffton men arrested after shots fired and pursuit

Unlawful Carry of Firearm; Possession of a Firearm by a Felon
-Samuel Jackson

Bluffton police officers have arrested two men after they initiated a car chase during an investigation of shots fired early Tuesday.

Bluffton police officers were called to the parking lot of IHOP at about 4:20 a.m. after receiving a call about shots being fired, according to a news release. They tried to approach a brown Mercury sedan, but the vehicle drove away and led them on a chase.

The car slowed in front of 262 Simmonsville Road, where a passenger jumped out and ran. He was identified as Eli Blackshear, 25, of Bluffton. He was charged with unlawful carrying of a firearm and with being a felon in possession of a firearm, the release said.

The driver continued to evade police but drove into a ditch near Buck Island Road and May River Road, the release said. He was charged with failure to stop for blue lights.

Both men refused to cooperate with officers, who learned from witnesses that at least one shot was fired in the parking lot. It was unclear if anyone was injured in the disturbance, the release said.

Anyone with information can call Lt. Chandler of the Bluffton Police Department at 706-4573.